Experiences of parents of children hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:coping strategies, perceived stress and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder
Keywords:
stress, newborn, premature, neonatal intensiva care, parental stressAbstract
Introduction: Hospitalization of a newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is associated with high levels of stress in the parents.
Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate stress coping strategies and their impact on the severity of stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents of children who were hospitalized in the NICU after their birth.
Material and Methods: Sixty seven parents (40 mothers and 27 fathers) of the 42 infants aged 1 to 16 months hospitalized in the NICU during the neonatal period were examined by means of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), COPE Inventory (COPE), Impact Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) and the Authors’ questionnaire.
Results: Mean length of stay in the NICU was 23 ± 26 days. PTSD symptoms were observed in 43.3% of the parents. Planning, Ac-ceptance and Coping were most commonly used Strategies for coping with stress. Mothers significantly more often used strategies such as: Acceptance, Emotion focused and their Discharge and Instrumental Support Search comparing with fathers. Parents with symptoms of PTSD more frequently used Active Coping strategies, Refraining from taking actions, Denial and Distraction. The use of strategies Emotion-focused and their Discharge and Discontinuation of Action positively correlated with the intensification of perceived stress but Positive revaluation and Development correlated negatively with the intensification of perceived stress. The severity of PTSD positively correlated with the use of strategies: Avoiding Competitive Action, Planning, Refraining from taking actions, Acceptance, Denial and Distraction, Active Dealing and focusing on emotions and their discharge.
Conclusions: PTSD is a common problem of the parents of children hospitalized in the NICU after their birth. Some coping strategies correlate with the severity of stress and symptoms of PTSD in a statistically significant way. Therefore, it seems reasonable to introduce early psychologist intervention and implementation of basic psychotherapy by medical personnel during hospitalization.
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